COVID-19 is both a health and economic crisis for everyone in the
country.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, Act, better known as the CARES Act approved by Congress last week will provide roughly $23.5 billion in relief for farmers and ranchers. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, said the CARES Act will help make sure farmers can survive yet another economic hurdle.

“We know our farmers have been through the wringer 1,000 different ways. An important piece of this is a new $9.5 billion dedicated disaster fund that we specifically, for the first time, say that the USDA has to support the fruit and vegetable growers, dairy and livestock farmers, as well as local food producers.”

Stabenow said she’s making it her mission to hold USDA accountable because of what she called an imbalance in payments of commodities from Market Facilitation Program. Under the CARES Act, there will also be $14 billion to fund the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).

“It funds a number of different things, but it also funds these payments, so that’s very significant. We’ve got to make sure that what our fruit and vegetable growers, dairy and livestock producers and local producers need is actually included in this. I’m going to watch it very closely.”

Stabenow said she hopes payments for farmers, small businesses and individuals will be issued as quickly as possible.

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